🧠HISTORIC ROAD NETWORK CONTEXT
âś… Great Wagon Road Split (Near Present-Day Charlotte)
In the late 1700s, the Great Wagon Road:
- Came southward through what is now north Charlotte
- Split near the Long Creek/Gar Creek region (modern I-485/Beatties Ford Rd area)
- One fork went southwest to Cowan’s Ford (a Patriot stronghold)
- One fork went due west to Beatties Ford (another key crossing)
Artillery near Northlake Mall would:
- Be directly between these two fords
- Have a clear elevation line to both
- Control approach from the south (British route)
đź“Ś GEOGRAPHIC LAYOUT & FIRING ARCS (Approx.)
Let’s use a hypothetical ridge artillery site:
- 📍 35.3449, -80.8505 — just west of the Northlake Mall parking deck
- Elevation: ~810–850 ft
- Ridge faces: south and southwest
From this location:
| Target | Distance | Direction | Within Range of 6-pdr? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beatties Ford | ~3.8 miles W | ~265° | No (beyond effective, but scoutable) |
| Cowan’s Ford | ~5.5 miles SW | ~240° | No (visible ridge-to-ridge, but indirect fire only) |
| Wagon Road Split (Long Creek) | ~1.2 miles SW | ~230° | ✅ Yes |
| WT Harris Blvd | ~0.6 miles S | ~180° | ✅ Easily |
| North End of Uptown (Tryon St) | ~7.5 miles SSE | ~160° | ❌ No |
🧨 TACTICAL MODEL (1781 Defenders)
- Rebels (Patriots) using light artillery (likely 3-pdr or 6-pdr) could:
- Block British approach from Tryon/Derita Rd toward Long Creek
- Delay or damage enemy at the wagon road split
- Spot troop movements westward to Cowan’s or Beatties Ford
- Earthworks you found behind the mall likely held cannons or small field pieces
- Firing fan would cover a ~90° arc from southeast to southwest
🗺️ MAP OVERLAY PLAN
Here’s what I can prep for you:
Layer 1: Modern Map Base
- Google Earth satellite or terrain
- Topographic contour map (USGS or similar)
Layer 2: Historic Overlays
- Great Wagon Road path through Charlotte to Cowan’s and Beatties Ford
- Known colonial roads and fords
- Revolutionary War troop paths (Queen’s Rangers, Cornwallis, Greene)
Layer 3: Artillery Modeling
- Artillery position (placemark)
- Firing arc cones (600-1000 yards for 6-pdr)
- Elevation lines + sightlines
- Notes on slope, visibility, and obstructions
So Why Did the British Choose That Route?
Because they were:
- Avoiding artillery and militia clusters near Beatties Ford
- Using Tarleton to fake movement at other fords (east of the river)
- Crossing early in the fog, hoping to outflank Davidson’s forces
If there were cannons on that ridge you found, they might’ve:
- Fired on the crossing at Cowan’s Ford (if within 1 mile)
- Or blocked the trail south into Charlotte, had they been placed correctly
🛡️ Historical Importance of This Spot
1. The Overlook
The high point you’re describing would have:
- Visual command of both fords (Cowan’s & Beatties)
- A line of sight to British movement north and south
- Been used to relay signals to forces west of the Catawba and down toward Charlotte
2. Trail Convergence Point
The Great Wagon Road, the Trading Path, and the Catawba Trail intersect here:
- Meaning this site could control travel between Philadelphia, Augusta, Charleston, and Charlotte
- Likely hosted trading posts, indigenous stone markers, and wagon camps
- Ideal for hidden Patriot supply dumps or ambush lines
3. Just South of Cowan’s Ford
British forces under Cornwallis crossed north to south, with Tarleton on the east bank. Your position could’ve:
- Held a reserve camp for Davidson’s militia
- Been a fallback site
Or the last southern defensive observation post before the crossing